Rev. Francis Michael Grundowski, 82, a devoted Catholic priest, faithful servant of God, beloved brother, uncle, and friend, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the Residence of Village Greens.
Born May 23, 1944, in Laureldale, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Leon Grundowski and Esther (Miles) Grundowski.
A graduate of St. Charles Seminary in Overbrook, Pennsylvania, Father Grundowski earned his Master of Divinity and was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Allentown in 1971. While he was in the seminary he attended U.S Army Chaplain School and graduated as a fully qualified Army Chaplain.
During more than five decades of priestly ministry, he faithfully served the people of God in many capacities. He was the pastor of 2 parishes, Saint Bartholomew in Brockton, Pennsylvania and Saint Bertha, in Tuscarora, Pennsylvania. Prior to that he was assigned to Reading Central Catholic High School as a Professor of Religion, Disciplinarian and ultimately becoming Vice Principal. Additional assignments included St. Paul, Reading; Immaculate Conception BVM, Birdsboro; St. Mary, Reading; St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring; St. Catherine of Siena, Reading; and St. Anne, Bethlehem.
He served as a chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital, Reading Pennsylvania and Saint Mary Medical Center, Langhorne Pennsylvania. His vocation extended beyond parish life as he served as a Catholic chaplain aboard Holland America cruise ships through the Apostleship of the Sea, offering spiritual care and the sacraments to travelers and crew members alike.
Outside of his priestly ministry, Father Grundowski found great joy in spending time with family. He especially loved golfing, annual trips to Sea Isle City, New Jersey, visiting the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and his camping trips to Maine with his brother, Leo. His kindness, warm smile, gentle spirit, and deep love for his family will be remembered by all who knew him.
Father Grundowski was preceded in death by his brother Leo Thomas Grundowski and his sister Marie Anne D’Amico.
He is survived by his siblings : Joseph Edward Grundowski of Sun City West, Arizona, children Lisa and Nicole; Barbara Anne (Grundowski) Forlini, wife of Henry Forlini, of Georgetown, Delaware; Mary Therese (Grundowski) Vanim, wife of Alfred Vanim, of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania, children Abigail and Rachel; John Paul Grundowski of Macungie, Pennsylvania; and Robert Mark Grundowski and his wife, Michelle, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, children Madelyn and Justin.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Stitzel Family Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Laureldale, 3300 Kutztown Road, Laureldale, PA 19605.
The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of Allentown, will Celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church, Reading. A viewing will be held an hour prior from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Following the Mass, burial will take place at Gethsemane Cemetery.
Stitzel Family Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Laureldale, is honored to serve Father Grundowski and his family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Vascular Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901.
For online condolences please visit www.StitzelFamilyFuneralHomes.com
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